Device for dispensing material from collapsible container means



Dec. 3, 1968 P. G. MARTIN 3,414,166

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING MATERIAL FROM COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER MEANS Filed Aug. 29, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

PAUL G. MARTIN BY i AZTZTORNEYS FIG. 3

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Dec. 3, 1968 DEVICE FOR DISPENSING MATERIAL FROM COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER MEANS Filed Aug. 29, 1966 INVENTOR. PAUL G. MARTIN F I G. 8

BY wiw. A ORNEYS United States Patent 3,414,166 DEVICE FOR DISPENSING MATERIAL FROM COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER MEANS Paul G. Martin, 1212 W. Loveland Ave., Loveland, Ohio 45140 Filed Aug. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 575,882 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-102) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A wall mountable device for efficiently squeezing material from a collapsible tube comprising supporting structure, a pair of cooperating rollers mounted adjacent each other in parallel relation and having spring means urging such rollers toward each other upon inserting a collapsible container therebetween to provide a controlled squeezing action, and a door positionable with respect to the tube outlet.

This invention pertains to dispensing devices and more particularly to an improved device for dispensing material from collapsible tubular container means.

Presently known devices for dispensing material from a collapsible tube such as devices for dispensing tooth paste from such a collapsible tube are generally difficult to use and are quite complicated in the action provided. Many of such tooth paste dispensing devices rely upon squeezing tooth paste from such collapsible tube and simultaneously rolling the empty tube end on a roller usually provided at a difficult to reach location therewithin. Such roller usually has an elongated slot, or the like, therein for supporting the tube of tooth paste and it is generally difficult to get a tube started through such slot. In addition, by rolling or wrapping more empty tube on such roller as more tooth paste is dispensed from therewithin the squeezing action of present devices is impaired because such wrapped empty tube acts as a cushion preventing complete removal of all of the tooth paste.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide an improved device for dispensing material from collapsible tubular container means which is of simple construction and which has means enabling easy starting of such collapsible container means for efficient dispensing of such material.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved dispensing device of the character mentioned in which material can be dispensed from such collapsible container means efiicieutly and with no waste thereof.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved dispensing device of the character mentioned having a pair of cooperating rollers mounted adjacent each other in parallel relation and having means urging such rollers toward each other upon inserting collapsible container means therebetween to provide a controlled squeezing action.

' Another feature of this invention is to provide'such cooperating pair of rollers having friction means on peripheral surface means thereof wherein such urging means and friction means cooperate to provide the sole support for suspending such collapsible container means and enabling moving of such container means between such rollers for easy squeezing of material therefrom.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved device for dispensing material from collapsible container means having one of more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front view illustrating a dispensing device of this invention with collapsible container means shown as a tube of tooth paste placed in a dispensing position therewithin and particularly illustrating access door means provided in such dispensing device and rotating means shown as a rotating knob for squeezing tooth paste from within such tube upon rotaiton of such knob.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the dispensing device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 with parts broken away and particularly illustrating the manner that a flattened end portion of a tooth paste tube is inserted between a pair of cooperating squeezing and supporting rollers carried within such dispensing device.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view with parts in section particularly illustrating the manner of sup porting the pair of cooperating rollers used to support and squeeze tooth paste from within the tooth paste tube and showing spring means used to urge such rollers toward each other.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adaptable for providing an improved device for dispensing materials from collapsible tubular container means, for example, dispensing tooth paste from a suitable collapsible tube thereof, or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide a dispensing device for other materials that may be carried within collapsible tubes, including yet not being limited to materials such as shaving cream, ointments, commercial greases of all types, and food products.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in the drawings, and as shown particularly in FIG- URES 1 and 2, a dispensing device designated generally by the numeral 20 is illustrated. Dispensing device 20 is used for storing and squeezing material from collapsible tubular container means such as a tube of tooth paste designated generally by the numeral 21 and carried within device 20 in suspended relation.

Collapsible tube 21 has a dispensing opening means in one end portion thereof which is closed by a suitable closure cap 21A and a flattened end shown at 21B which is sealed closed. Flattened end 21B is inserted between a pair of cooperating roller means comprising device 20 for suspending tube 21 and providing squeezing action thereagainst as will be described subsequently.

Device 20 has a supporting structure including housing means such as housing 22 having the general shape of a parallelepiped. Housing 22 comprises a rear wall surface 23, a pair of parallel side walls 24 and 25, a top 26, and front wall means defined by access door means shown as access door 27. The bottom of structure 22 is preferably open.

Housing 22 is preferably formed so that its rear wall surface 23 and side walls 24 and 25 are made from a single piece of material having a roughly U-shaped configuration. Such U-shaped configuration may be formed by extruding, casting, or other suitable process.

Dispensing device 20 is suitably fastened to a support therefor and in this example of the invention isfastened to a suitable structure such as the wall of a bathroom using fastening screws each designated by the numeral 28 and passing through rear wall 23. A suitable adhesive such as epoxy may be used instead of screws.

Access door 27 is slidable within integral groove means shown as a pair of cooperating grooves 24A and 25A provided in side walls 24 and 25 respectivelysee FIG- URE 7. Access door 27 in this example of the invention slides vertically within grooves 24A and 25A to provide a wide access opening for easy insertion of tube 21 within dispensing device 20 and enabling easy access to such tube once it is installed within housing 22. Access door 27 has handle means shown as a projecting tab 32 adjacent the lower end portion thereof which enables easy grasping and sliding of the front wall defining access door 27 vertically upwardly.

Device 20 has first roller means shown as roller 33 mounted for rotation within housing 22 and second roller means shown as a roller 34 mounted for rotation within housing 22 and parallel to roller 33. Rollers 33 and 34 are spaced apart from each other in their mounted positions so that peripheral surface means or their peripheral surfaces are in close proximity.

Roller 33 is mounted on bracket means shown as a bracket 35 which is fixed to rear wall 23 of supporting housing 22. Roller 33 is mounted so that its axis is held in a fixed position with respect to housing 22. Bracket 35 has pivot means such as a support shaft or pivot pin 41 carried thereon for pivotedly supporting bracket means such as a bracket 36.

Roller 34 is mounted for rotation on bracket 36 so that it is arranged parallel to roller 33 as previously mentioned. Bracket 36 has hole means therein shown as holes 37 which cooperate with pin 41 to pivotedly mount bracket 36 and hence roller 34.

Thus, it will be seen that bracket 36 pivots about pin 41 in such a manner that roller 34 is moved toward and away from roller 33 through a limited amount of travel, which is great enough to insert the end of a tube of toothpaste therebetween. In addition pivot pin 41 may be moved upwardly or a greater distance from the center line of where the rollers meet to increase the roller separation.

Bracket 36 has an arm portion desginated generally by the numeral 36A which extends upwardly therefrom and has a suitable projection 42 suitably fixed to such arm adjacent the upper end portion thereof. In a similar manner bracket 35 has an arm portion 35A with a projection 43 fixed adjacent its upper end. Projections 42 and 43 are arranged opposite each other and cooperate to support urging means therebetween as will be presently described.

Urging means is provided yieldingly urging the parallel rollers toward each other and such urging means comprises a compression spring 44 which is placed with its opposite end portions in surrounding relation around projections 42 and 43. Spring 44 pivots bracket 36 about pin 41 and thereby urges roller 34 toward roller 33. It will be appreciated that the force exerted by spring 44 can be closely controlled to provide a fairly constant squeezing force and the efiicient and thorough removal of tooth paste from within tube 21.

It will be seen, especially from FIGURES 4 and of the drawings, that flattened end portions 21B of tooth paste tube 21 is inserted between rollers 33 and 34 and the action of spring 44 causes the rollers 33 and 34 to squeeze toothpaste from tube 21 upon opening means including opening cap 21A provided in the lower end portion of tooth paste tube 21 and rotating one of such rollers 33 or 34.

Friction means is provided on the peripheral surface means or the peripheral outer surface of the rollers 33 and 34. While such friction means may be provided in any suitable manner as by surface coating, by the use of a resilient surface, or similar techniques, in this example of the invention the peripheral outer surface of each roller 33 and 34 is preferably knurled and designated respectively by the numerals 33A and 34A as seen in FIG- URE 7.

Knurled surfaces 33A and 34A together with the urging action provided by spring 44 provide the sole support for tube 21 inserted in suspended relation between rollers 33 and 34 as well as providing the squeezing action for squeezing tooth paste from within tube 21 and providing means for moving tube 21 through rollers 33 and 34 as tooth paste is dispensed therefrom.

Rotating means is provided for rotating one of the cooperating rollers. In this example of the invention, rotating means comprises a rotating knob 46 suitably fastened to a shaft 47 which is fixed to roller 34 as shown in FIGURE 4. A set screw, or the like, 50 is provided for fastening knob 46 to shaft 47.

Thus, it is seen that upon inserting flat end portion 21B of tube 21 between rollers 33 and 34, removing cap 21A from tube 21, and rotating knob 46 knurled surfaces 33A and 34A cooperating with spring 44 cause tooth paste to be squeezed from tube 21 while simultaneously moving tube 21 upwardly through rollers 33 and 34. The manner of supporting spring 44 within housing 22 makes it easy to install a spring tailored to the particular construction of collapsible container means and material carried within such container means.

As previously mentioned, access door 27 extends across the full width of the dispensing device 20 and is slidable upwardly and downwardly for easy access to the tube 21. Access door 27 has means for holding such door in an infinite number of vertical positions as it is slid along U- shaped grooves 24A and 25A.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 3, 4, and 6 of the drawings, a plate member 51 is suitably fastened to the upper end portion of walls 24 and 25. Plate 51 has holding means shown as a spring 52 for holding door 27 at such infinite number of vertical positions. Spring 52 is preferably a blade spring arranged in a yielding outwardly convex shape and fixed to plate 51 while engaging access door 27. Spring 52 enables door 27 to be slid upwardly and the action of spring 52 urging against such door will hold it in whatever position it is placed along grooves 24A and 25A.

Not only is access door 27 adjustable to an infinite number of positions but as previously mentioned and as seen in the drawings, easy access is provided to rollers 33 and 34 to enable starting a collapsible container means through device 20 in a simple manner while providing easy access to such collapsible container means or tube 21.

Spring 52 is generally sufiicient to hold access door 27 at any position without requiring any additional supports for such door. It may be desirable in some applications to provide a fixed stop for door 27 to assure such door does not fall away from housing 22 in the event of failure of spring 52.

Stabilizing means is provided within housing 22 for stabilizing tube 21 as it is moved upwardly within the dispensing device 20. Such stabilizing means comprises a pair of stabilizing members each designated by the numerals 54 and particularly shown in FIGURE 6. Stabilizing members 54 are both fixed to rear wall 23 in this example of the invention preferably as an integral part thereof. Members 54 stabilize tube 21 so that it travels in a straight path without side motion as tooth paste is dispensed therefrom.

It will be appreciated that the dispensing device 20 of this invention does not rely upon rolling a massive dispensed end of tube 21 upon one of the rollers which support such tube and provide the squeezing action. The flattened end 21B of the tube 21 travels through rollers 33 and 34 and as more tooth paste is squeezed therefrom the spent end of the tube merely moves upwardly and toward top wall 26 of dipsensing device 20.

Terms such as top, bottom, sides, front, etc.

have been used in this disclosure of the invention merely to identify wall means of the dispensing device 20 as illustrated in the drawings. It will be appreciated that the dispensing device may be positioned in any manner as desired and the use of such terms should not be considered as limiting the scope of this invention in any way.

Thus, it is seen that an improved dispensing device which is of simple and economical construction has been provided. Such dispensing device has means enabling easy initial insertion and subsequent access to collapsible container means placed therein for dispensing of material contained within such container means. In addition, such device assures that such material is removed from such container means with no waste.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claimed subject matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

.1. A device for dispensing material from a collapsible tubular container having one end fiatened and sealed closed and the opposite end provided with a dispensing opening, said device comprising an elongated casing adapted to be secured to a supporting base in vertical position, said casing having a back wall, side walls, open bottom and vertically sliding front wall, a container supporting structure positioned in the upper portion of said casing, said supporting structure comprising a first platelike arm secured in contact relation with said back wall, said arm having right angular extending brackets at each side thereof, a second plate-like arm positioned in spaced parallel relation to said first arm and having brackets on the lower portion thereof overlapping and pivotally secured to the corresponding brackets of the first arm, first and second coacting rollers journalled in and carried by the respective brackets of each arm in downward spaced relation to said pivot and resilient means positioned between the upper ortion of said arms and urging them away from each ot er to thereby yieldingly urge the roller of the second arm toward the roller of the first arm and means for rotating the rollers to draw the flattened end of the tubular container upwardly and squeeze the contents from the tube, and said casing having a pair of spaced tracks on the back wall below said supporting structure for guiding said tubular container toward said rollers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,845,291 2/1932 Koontz 222102 2,283,009 5/ 1942 Levan 49415 2,550,537 4/1951 Derrick 222102 2,554,217 5/1951 Shaw 222102 2,748,981 6/1956 Bean 22297 2,781,876 2/1957 Van Fleet 49-416 X 2,872,077 2/ 1959 Heck 222--100 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

N. L. STACK, Assistant Examiner. 

